SEOUL - The number of people consulting with state-run counselling centres for domestic, sexual abuse and domestic conflicts was the highest on record in 2023, data from South Korea’s Ministry of Gender Equality and Family showed on Nov 3.

       A total of 337,171 calls were made in 2023 to the national counselling centres for victims of domestic and sexual abuse, along with other forms of domestic conflicts and crimes such as stalking. The figure was up 15.1 per cent from the previous year, according to the ministry’s annual report.

       Of those calls, 185,785 were related to sexual violence. Of the remaining 151,386, 92,375 were related to domestic violence, up from 65,211 in 2022.

       The other 59,011 were related to varying forms of domestic and relationship conflicts. Consultations related to conflicts within a family and sexual issues – not severe enough to be stipulated as a crime – accounted for 11,501 and 8,193, respectively.

       Dating violence accounted for 4,110, while 3,355 calls were made by victims of stalking.

       The remainder, about 10 per cent of the overall total, were not classified.

       Specifically, for consultations related to sexual violence, 17.7 per cent of the alleged perpetrators were someone whom the victims worked with. It was followed by a friend or someone from school at 12.8 per cent, and family members at 12 per cent.

       By signing up, I accept SPH Media's Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy as amended from time to time.

       Nearly half of the counselling calls – 41.7 per cent – were related to rape and “imitative rape”. The second of these offences involves penetration in which only one person’s genitals are involved.

       Indecent act by compulsion – sexual molestation without penetration – accounted for 36.4 per cent.

       The report also tallied consultations requested by people with physical disabilities.

       The number of people with disabilities who called for consultation in 2023 was 60,702, up from 53,208 in the previous year. Of these calls, 42,561 were related to sexual violence, meaning nearly one in four consultations on sexual violence was made by a person with disabilities.

       The South Korean government operates 35 protection centres for victims of sexual violence, which were being used by 243 people as at late 2023. A total of 150 people were newly admitted to the protection centres in 2023.

       Victims of sexual violence can apply for protection, medical assistance, legal and other forms of counselling by calling the 1366 emergency hotline. THE KOREA HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK